Deflectin

A deflectin is one of a family of antibiotic chemicals produced by Aspergillus deflectus which contain a 6H-furo[2,3-h]-2-benzopyran-6,8(6aH)-dione core.

Deflectins are yellow coloured crystalline substances when pure.

They react with ammonia, by replacing an oxygen atom in the six-membered ring with an NH group.

On adding a strong base to an alcoholic solution of deflectin, it show a red colour for a short time.

Deflectin 2b is similar but the side chain is 2 atoms longer.